Vlucht van de Franse generaal Charles-Francois Dumouriez 1793 - 1795

Joannes Bemme made this print, "Flight of the French General Charles-Francois Dumouriez," around the turn of the 19th century, using etching and engraving. Look closely, and you can see how the character of the etched line varies across the image, depending on the effect Bemme wanted to achieve. In areas of shadow, there's a dense crosshatching. These linear marks define form and texture, creating a sense of depth on a flat surface. Prints like this played a crucial role in disseminating news and shaping public opinion. They were relatively inexpensive to produce, making them accessible to a broad audience. They were not just art objects, but also tools of communication and propaganda. Consider the labor involved, both in the depicted event and in the making of the print itself. The engraver's skill, the printing process, and the distribution network all contributed to the print's social and cultural significance, bridging the gap between artistry and the world of mass communication.